World Battlefronts: The First Offensive

For the first time since Dec. 7 a priceless intangible asset finally
came into U.S. hands: the attack on the Solomon Islands had snatched
the offensive from the Japanese in the Pacific.

The blow was struck up from Down Under at the exotic Melanesian land of
the Solomon Islands, a fringe of volcanic peaks strung for 600 miles
across the northern end of the Coral Sea, 900 miles from Australia's
coast (see map). It was no mere raid. It was an attack in force. The
Navy was out...